There have been 5,161 “preventive arrests”, including politicians, separatists and stone pelters, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) since August 4, 2019, the day before J&K’s special status under Article 370 was revoked, the government informed Parliament on November 20, reports Daily Excelsior. “With a view to prevent commission of offences involving breach of peace and activities prejudicial to the security of the state and maintenance of the public order, 5,161 preventive arrests, including stone pelters, miscreants, OGWs (over ground workers), separatists and political workers, were made since August 4, 2019, in Kashmir Valley,” Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in a statement to the Rajya Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament). Of these, 609 persons, including 218 stone pelters, are presently under detention.
On November 19, replying to a written question on stone-pelting incidents in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy Reddy told the Lok Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) that “since August 5, 2019 to November 15, 2019, 765 people have been arrested in 190 cases registered relating to stone-pelting/ law and order”, reports Indian Express. "From January 1, 2019 to August 4, 2019, 361 such cases were registered," the minister said, adds NDTV. "Investigation has revealed that various separatist organisations and activists, which are part of the Hurriyat, have been behind the incidents of stonepelting in the Kashmir valley. The NIA has chargesheeted 18 persons in terror-funding cases so far," he said.